I understand this is a draft, subject to change. But I am confused, and perhaps I am missing something (I read through this draft rather fast):

Quote4.1.2. CAP sUAS Mission Pilot4.1.2.1.To operate as a CAP sUAS Mission Pilot in rotary wing or fixed wing sUASthe membermust:4.1.2.1.1.Be current and qualified in accordance with the requirements of14 CFRPart 107 for a remote pilot certificate;and4.1.2.1.2 Have successfully completed a CAP sUAS CAPF 5U check flight by a CAP sUAS Check airman within the last 12 calendar months; and4.1.2.1.2.Have successfully passed a CAP sUAS Mission Pilot Flight Evaluation (CAPF 91U) within the past 12 calendar months;and4.1.2.1.3.Complete Level I of the senior member professional development program if a senior member.

I am thinking of going for the Part 107, just "because". Nevertheless, if I can I use it on an ES, great. But then I am curious if NESA attendance will be required. Or was it thought to be included but later dropped. Again, I know this is a rather loose "draft".

A number of folks from several Wings will be training in Montgomery next month.So its more than "just a thing".

The initial instructors, who are now starting to instruct people in Wings to go back and be instructors in their Wings, is already happening.

But I get it. ARCHER and other similar things are before my time at CAP. But I've heard the stories. I understand.

And also yes, since it'll be a year or so before we see the 10 sUAS packages fully rolled out to each Wing, maybe I am jumping the gun a bit? Not sure. Others are telling me that its a good idea to be prepared ahead of time and be ready to roll, instead of playing catchup. I'm just one trying to keep my Squadron in the loop and be ready when the time comes. Maybe I should just be the cheerleader there and not online here with everyone else? IDK. My motives truly are for the best.

Quote4.1.2. CAP sUAS Mission Pilot4.1.2.1.To operate as a CAP sUAS Mission Pilot in rotary wing or fixed wing sUASthe membermust:4.1.2.1.1.Be current and qualified in accordance with the requirements of14 CFRPart 107 for a remote pilot certificate;and4.1.2.1.2 Have successfully completed a CAP sUAS CAPF 5U check flight by a CAP sUAS Check airman within the last 12 calendar months; and4.1.2.1.2.Have successfully passed a CAP sUAS Mission Pilot Flight Evaluation (CAPF 91U) within the past 12 calendar months;and4.1.2.1.3.Complete Level I of the senior member professional development program if a senior member.

Quote from: etodd on February 18, 2019, 08:26:24 pmAnd also yes, since it'll be a year or so before we see the 10 sUAS packages fully rolled out to each Wing, maybe I am jumping the gun a bit? Not sure. Others are telling me that its a good idea to be prepared ahead of time and be ready to roll, instead of playing catchup. I'm just one trying to keep my Squadron in the loop and be ready when the time comes. Maybe I should just be the cheerleader there and not online here with everyone else? IDK. My motives truly are for the best.

No one said anything about motives, but perhaps the Director of this program should be the one sending out the communications and starting the discussions.

If it's really a year before the first 10 hit units, this really isn't a "thing".

Part 107 training isn't going to hurt anyone, and is a great unit exercise in AE if nothing else, whether or not it becomes a factor in CAP as anything other then a pet project is a big if and when at this point.

To be fair, there was a fair amount of "gatekeeping*" with Archer, since there were only 16 airplanes and systems. Several systems per wing = more difficult to gatekeep.

* Gatekeeping - When someone takes it upon themselves to decide who does or does not have access or rights to a community or identity.

Not to mention, ARCHER was a prototype system with no manufacturer support.

Which is definitely a benevolent way to characterize the situation.

2 weeks, in-residence training? It was the same mentality of "you need to know who this works in order to operate it"mentality that make radio ops a hassle. It's what kills most of these programs.

Bottom line, the further away from the squadron the training for a new toy is, the less likely the average member will ever get near it. If you have to leave the wing, it's never going anywhere significant.

Bottom line, the further away from the squadron the training for a new toy is, the less likely the average member will ever get near it. If you have to leave the wing, it's never going anywhere significant.

Exactly. On target. Which is why this is all drilling down to local. First the "trainers of the trainers" was done. Now the process of bringing in people from Wings is happening. These people will be new trainers who can start training new members inside their Wings. And eventually we'll have trainers at various squadrons in each Wing.

Just like we have with airplanes. No one has to travel very far (usually) to get their F5 or F91s. The sUAS Program is rolling out to reflect that.

Sorry to revive an old thread, but with so many of these being shut down because people don't want to listen to reason, it is difficult to find a place to comment.

Real world, inevitably one of these "MPs" is going to drop one of these on a taxpayer's head or through a window or break a TFR. When that happens, one of your friendly neighborhood FAA inspectors, maybe even me, is going to make a visit and know what we are going to ask for? The organization's rule book. Only a draft? That dog won't hunt. Then, since the "MP" will most likely be found to be doing something outside the scope of their license, that goes in the shredder. Then, since there are a bunch of people in uniforms with colorful patches and velcro, photos of that will end up in the media. Then the sharks in suits start to circle....

Now, changing to my local and state emergency manager hat...yeah, same thing. Without an official set of rules, CAP wouldn't even be considered for a tasking.

If it ain't in writing, it ain't real, and if that writing ain't official, it ain't legal.

Real world, inevitably one of these "MPs" is going to drop one of these on a taxpayer's head or through a window or break a TFR. When that happens, one of your friendly neighborhood FAA inspectors, maybe even me, is going to make a visit and know what we are going to ask for? The organization's rule book. Only a draft? That dog won't hunt. Then, since the "MP" will most likely be found to be doing something outside the scope of their license, that goes in the shredder. Then, since there are a bunch of people in uniforms with colorful patches and velcro, photos of that will end up in the media. Then the sharks in suits start to circle....

Now, changing to my local and state emergency manager hat...yeah, same thing. Without an official set of rules, CAP wouldn't even be considered for a tasking.

If it ain't in writing, it ain't real, and if that writing ain't official, it ain't legal.

Yes.

I cannot speak to others, but in my Wing as I'm doing "training", under these draft regs, we are flying out in the boondocks, and its just us. No houses nearby, no traffic. Staying low out over a field. Most of the initial training is just 10 feet off the ground, learning to fly patterns out over a field.

It makes me wonder what some here think of our Command at Headquarters? No trust or faith? Surely you realize that long BEFORE they tell FEMA and others that we are "ready for business" that all these regs will be formalized. None of us will be out flying tornado or flood damage over cities and neighborhoods until such time.

Headquarters has issued commands that we roll this out and use the draft info for training purposes only. And yes, as as Instructor and Check Pilot, I'm making sure all my training is well away from areas of concern, like people and traffic.

Can I even begin to tell you why its all still in draft form? Beats me. I'm still the fairly new guy. You folks that have been here for decades might can answer the question as to why documents sit on desks for months at a time before someone checks off a box.

National Headquarters, Region, Wing and my Group Commander, are giving me directives. I'm doing my best to follow such, and also use common sense, and the FAA regs as well, to perform in a legal and safe manner.

(ETA: Maybe they are watching how all this training is being done and how the draft regs are working "real world" before they finalize them. That would make sense. They have already made a minor change on one of the SQTR Worksheets. Yet another reason for us to keep moving along. Maybe its easier to make changes to a draft reg until its ready, than to formalize it and then go through a revision process? IDK)

Quote from: etodd on July 04, 2019, 02:51:58 pmSurely you realize that long BEFORE they tell FEMA and others that we are "ready for business" that all these regs will be formalized. None of us will be out flying tornado or flood damage over cities and neighborhoods until such time.

Surely you have been in CAP long enough to not really believe that, right?

Quote from: etodd on July 04, 2019, 02:51:58 pmSurely you realize that long BEFORE they tell FEMA and others that we are "ready for business" that all these regs will be formalized. None of us will be out flying tornado or flood damage over cities and neighborhoods until such time.

Surely you have been in CAP long enough to not really believe that, right?

I guess I just have a more supportive and positive outlook of CAP National Command than some here.

What is real is over 1,000 sUAS Form 5s are on file. With over 1,000 sUAS CAP pilots getting hours in and getting ramped up, knowing what is being discussed so far as the Op Plan and the regs is very much worthwhile. And unlike ARCHER,. this is being driven BOTH from the top down and the bottom up. I plan on getting my Part 107 license and a Form 5 so that my ability in cockpit as an AP/MS/MO will be enhanced, as well as my ability as PAO/PIO to "tell the story" with real world experience is also enhanced.

Quote from: etodd on July 04, 2019, 02:51:58 pm1. Surely you realize that long BEFORE they tell FEMA and others that we are "ready for business" that all these regs will be formalized.2. None of us will be out flying tornado or flood damage over cities and neighborhoods until such time.

Surely you have been in CAP long enough to not really believe that, right?

Quote from: etodd on July 04, 2019, 02:51:58 pm1. Surely you realize that long BEFORE they tell FEMA and others that we are "ready for business" that all these regs will be formalized.2. None of us will be out flying tornado or flood damage over cities and neighborhoods until such time.

Surely you have been in CAP long enough to not really believe that, right?

I believe #1 completely. #2 is already false.

I can only speak for my Wing, and #2 holds true for us. My Wing has not been tasked with anything other than training.